Hospital therapy dog program receives award

The volunteers received the 2019 John Henry Award

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The group was recognized for its work in response to the Aztec High School shooting on Dec. 7, 2017.

The group attended the teacher debriefing session at Aztec High and sat in with students as they spoke to counselors about their experiences.

The group and the therapy dogs are written into the San Juan County and the hospital's crisis management plan.

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Therapy Dogs Karma, left, and Honey, right, gather in the lobby of San Juan Regional Medical Center Friday after posing for a photo. The Therapy Pet program received an award during the 13th Annual Behavioral Health Day at the Legislature.(Photo11: Joshua Kellogg/The Daily Times)

FARMINGTON —The lobby of San Juan Regional Medical Center was full of canine activity Friday as volunteers in the Therapy Dog program discussed their recent award as they were recognized for providing comfort to the community following a tragic shooting.

The team of therapy dogs and volunteers were awarded the 2019 John Henry Award as part of the 13th Annual Behavioral Health Day Wednesday at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.

As part of Senate Memorial 16, the Behavioral Health Planning Council recognizes "Stars" in the community.

The group were nominated by San Juan County Partnership Executive Director Pamela Drake, according to volunteer Sara Kaynor.

"I was totally surprised," volunteer Becky Houghton said. "I was happy to be a representative of a group and promote the therapy dogs in the community."

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Pet Therapy volunteers, from left to right, Helen Taylor, Sarah Kaynor, Marla Sipes, Melissa Salyers and Becky Houghton pose with their dogs for a photo Friday in the lobby of San Juan Regional Medical Center.(Photo11: Joshua Kellogg/The Daily Times)

The group was recognized for their work in response to the Aztec High School Shooting on Dec. 7, 2017, and for providing support to those in need following the incident.

Kaynor stated while the main focus of the award may have been their response to the incident, the award also recognized the group as a key department at the hospital.

The group and the therapy dogs are written into the San Juan County and hospital's crisis management plan, according to Kaynor.

Marla Sipes, alongside her therapy dogs Karma and Honey, spoke about how data has shown therapy dogs can help lower people's blood pressure and help people get out of bed in the morning if they are depressed.